Can't choose between Science and Humanities

College Majors
1

<p>I am having a lot of trouble deciding on what course to study at university. I am leaning towards the social sciences and the arts, but I can't seem to shake the feeling that I am "copping-out." How do you know that a major is right for you?</p>

<p>Do you really think there needs to be interest from the get-go? Is it possible for someone who is bored by introductory courses in sciences to like it later on? That it's simply a matter of slogging through the first year weed-out courses in order to get on to more interesting material?</p>

<p>I don't relish the idea of working in a stale & sterile lab, for one. But I do like the idea of investigation, research, and the possibility of discovering or understanding something new that no other human being before me has been able to do. I like the feeling that I am doing something important, that I am studying something greater than myself. </p>

<p>I am still 90% sure I am meant for an Arts career, but there is still that 10% of me that thinks all art is kind of frivolous and any sort of lasting influence it leaves behind dims in comparison to what science represents, or can do.</p>

<p>I actually do think people who seem to be at the top of their careers in business and arts are wasting their lives away pursuing something that's ultimately self-serving and unworthy. Yet in terms of quality of life, pursuing art is way more pleasurable but ultimately meaningless...?</p>

<p>I know there is something faulty in the way I think. So please give me some outsider's opinion, because I am torn. I cannot settle to study Art and English Lit for example, with this "complex" hanging over my head. I want to be 100% sure that Arts & Humanities is right for me.</p>

<p>(cross posted in science majors forum)</p>

2

<p>“Yet in terms of quality of life, pursuing art is way more pleasurable but ultimately meaningless…?”</p>

<p>This is what people who switch from art to something else think.</p>

3

<p>“I actually do think people who seem to be at the top of their careers in business and arts are wasting their lives away pursuing something that’s ultimately self-serving and unworthy. Yet in terms of quality of life, pursuing art is way more pleasurable but ultimately meaningless…?”</p>

<p>Stick with science. The arts are not for you.</p>

4

<p>Musicamusica,</p>

<p>What makes you so sure of that? I am not bashing art, as I mentioned that I am 90% sure Arts is for me but I have trouble shaking off the idea that it’s less “important” than Science.</p>

<p>And I know Art is not an easy career, but I’m talking about long-term. Would you be happy leaving this world having put your time in pursuit of Art? Would you think that was a good use of your time on earth? That is what I am struggling with.</p>

5

<p>double major
minor
etc</p>

6

<p>Orange----Why pursue something that YOU think is “ultimately meaningless”.
or “self serving” or “unworthy”? Your words. Just sayin.</p>

<p>Do you want me to PROVE that art is not “ultimately meaningless”, or “self serving” or “unworthy”? I can not do that for you.
For you, it is what it is.</p>

<p>And if you still believe these things and go into art—you will create art that is “ultimately meaningless”, “self serving” and “unworthy”.
No one needs that.</p>